I need a way to make money while doing something I like. My friend had the genius idea of flipping bikes, so basically I take a bike that needs work, fix it and upgrade it then sell it. I found about 5 bikes I figured I have the skills to work on but before I make some bad financial decisions (which I am notorious for doing) I want to see if you guys have an opinion. I attached the 3 bikes I think I could best work on because I already have a parts bin with stuff I could put on these.
What I can do: install and tune brakes/drivetrain, tires/tubes, how to install/remove forks/shocks, how to install/remove bars, stem, seatpost, seat grips and pedals, install/remove headsets/BBs, and how to clean parts.
What I can’t do: service forks/shocks, bleed hydraulic brakes, install cassettes, internal cable routing, set up tubeless tires or install star nuts.
I know I could go and shovel snow or mow lawns but it’s not the most exciting and also I have a back injury so it’s not really a good choice (even though somehow I have no problem doing enduro MTB with a 100mm hardtail or doing some questionable safe ski jumps) and because I like to take things apart and build them I figured this would be fun.
TLDR: Can a high schooler make money fixing and upgrading bikes, I know how to do basic/intermediate maintenance
by Skoarking94
4 Comments
Note: I enjoy working on bikes on the vintage side, notably vintage road bikes and vintage hardtails.
When you can pick up a Vitus nucleus for £250 brand new with deor 1 x 10, 120mm boost air fork and hydraulic brakes there’s really no profits to be had on an old rim brake bike. Who’s to say in the future but I’d say not right now
Berm Peak has quite a few bikes in his [Flip Bike](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5S7V5NhM8JQQp0mMVjAYSp_p5SOv0Qaq&si=foD-V4TZU8kd5E1Z) playlist. See if you can turn a profit after watching what it takes.
You could make a small amount of money, but you could also lose money doing this. Upgrading used bikes won’t mean you make your money back on those purchases. And you need to account for your time to know if you’re actually making any sort of profit at all compared to just having a job. The bike market is wild right now with brands having massive surplus’ of inventory and blowing out prices. Your friends “genius” idea (and I’m honestly not trying to sound snarky) is in no way a guarantee that you will make any money. You could apply for a job at a bike shop, or some other business that you have interest in and your paycheck is guaranteed.